Duel with Ricky Fowler brings the best out of Spaniard's game as he posts an
impressive 68 to put his name high on the famous yellow leaderboard

There have been many theories put forward as to why, in his 35th year, Sergio García has returned to the form that suggests he is ready, finally, to lay claim to a first major title.

Some say his putting has caught up with his ball-striking, others that the former world No 2 has found off-course contentment now that he has a new girlfriend, Katharina Boehm, who played golf for Charleston University in the United States.

On the opening morning at Hoylake on Thursday, however, it was his sizzling duel with Rickie Fowler that appeared to bring the best out of the Spaniard’s game.

The 34-year-old posted an impressive 68 to take an early share of third place on the famous yellow leaderboard, two strokes behind leader Rory McIlroy.

By his own estimation, he is in his happiest frame of mind since 2008, the year after he lost a play-off to Padraig Harrington at the Open at Carnoustie.

Moreover, he seems more mentally robust than his last appearance here in 2006 when, dressed garishly from head to toe in canary yellow, he crashed in a final-day duel with Tiger Woods, posting a 73 eventually to finish fifth.

“After eight years, there’s so many things that change or can be different this year,” García said. “Even on the tough years this championship is different to me. I love it so much. After the Ryder Cup it is my favourite tournament to play.

“You always come here with a different frame of mind, even if you are struggling a bit. It is only the first day. There are so many things that can happen out there.

“It would be nice to put myself in a position to have a solid chance on Sunday, like I have done a couple of times and like I did in 2006.”

Fowler, 25, also seeking a first major, was similarly a beneficiary of going head-to-head with García, who arrived at Hoylake with six top-10 finishes this season.

When the pair strode up the 14th fairway they briefly had a share of the lead at four under par, having both got to the turn in 32. Having started with a small following of supporters, word got around the course and spectators flocked for what developed into a must-see game.

García recovered from a bogey on the par-five 10th to birdie the 11th by chipping in from off the green after he had pulled his tee shot and also pulled a shot back on the 13th when he sank an 18ft putt. His only disappointment is that he could not pick up any more shots at the remaining two par-fives, the 16th and the 18th.

However, Fowler could not quite sustain his challenge. First, he faltered with a three-putt on the 15th after his first had almost dropped for a birdie. Then the accuracy of his driving let him down. He was fortunate to escape with a par on the 16th after striking a marshal full on the thigh with his tee shot that had leaked right, and dropped another shot on the 17th.

Still, a 69 was enough for a share of eighth place at that stage and there were enough moments of brilliance to suggest that he can build on this impressive start.

Alas for Luke Donald, the third member of the group and another one of golf’s leading lights still without a major to this name, none of this magic rubbed off on his game.

While García and Fowler took turns to pepper the flag, Donald, despite the vocal efforts of the home support, spent most of his morning scrambling to save pars, which he failed to do on the first, 12th and 15th holes.

At least his round finished on the high note of a birdie on the par-five 18th, and having also earned a shot back with a birdie four on the par-five fifth, he finished with a 73, which on a day of such glorious scoring conditions, was a poor return. Still, he is far from out of contention just yet.